Blue cheese was source of deadly E.coli, scientists find
AN artisan blue cheese has been confirmed as the source of a deadly E.coli outbreak.
A long-awaited report into the bug that caused the death of a threeyear-old girl was released yesterday.
The 100-page document states that Dunsyre Blue by family firm Errington Cheese was the source – and ‘justified’ actions to ban items made by the Lanarkshire business.
Errington’s founder insisted the report confirmed his fears other foods were not properly considered during the inquiry.
The report, compiled by Food Standards Scotland (FSS), Health Protection Scotland and Lanarkshire Council, states: ‘The source of the outbreak was consumption of Dunsyre Blue... based on evidence from epidemiological and food chain investigations, and supported by microbiological evidence and deficiencies identified in procedures for monitoring and control of STEC [shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli] at the food business.’
The report states that of the 26 people to become ill between July and September 2016, 15 are known to have consumed the blue cheese, made from unpasteurised cows’ milk.
However, in five cases involving children from the same
‘Didn’t look at anything else’
nursery, there was no evidence parents or youngsters ate Dunsyre Blue and the source of the infection was ‘not established’.
Twenty-one confirmed cases were resident in Scotland, four lived in England and one in the Republic of Ireland. Only one of those from England had not travelled to Scotland around the time they fell ill. Seventeen required hospital treatment.
A three-year-old girl from Bearsden, near Glasgow, died after contracting E.coli O157.
She and one other case developed haemolytic-uremic syndrome – the destruction of red blood cells and kidney failure.
A number of cheeses were tested on behalf of the investigating team. The consumption of blue cheese among those who fell ill was ‘considerably higher’ than the general population.
The report says: ‘No other biologically plausible food or exposure was identified that linked such a high proportion of cases.’ FSS chief executive Geoff Ogle said the report ‘justified’ the watchdog’s ban on the firm’s cheeses, adding: ‘This report should allay any concerns with regards to our decisions. ’
But Errington’s founder, Humphrey Errington, said: ‘It was not an investigation, it was an attempt to prove Dunsyre Blue caused the illness because they didn’t look at anything else.’
A statement from the firm said: ‘More investigations into the cause of the outbreak are needed. The report confirms our fears blue cheese was the only foodstuff considered.’
Errington is now selling new batches of Lanark Blue, made from unpasteurised ewes’ milk.